A Glorious Tour of Galway | Deluxe Tours Ireland

Discover this gem in the wonderful West of Ireland!

Galway | Private Luxury Tours Ireland

Wanting to discover the world famous Wild Atlantic Way?? Then take a customised trip to Galway one of the seven counties that are part of the world’s longest coastal routes.

wild-atlantic-way| Deluxe Small Group Tours Ireland

Galway or Gaillimh in Irish, named after a river meaning stony. It is in the West of Ireland and Galway is part of the province Connacht in Ireland, the largest county in the province. Galway is known as Ireland’s Cultural Heart (Croí Cultúrtha na hÉireann) and is a vibrant and popular city.

Galway City | Customized Tours Ireland
– image thanks to thingstodoindublin-ireland.comireland.com

When travelling into Galway city the first thing you will notice is the busy Galway harbour or Galway docks established in the 10th Century. Many boats and ships of all sizes would come here to dock, as one of the fastest ways of travelling then would have been by sea. The harbour is now due to have a massive redevelopment and expansion over the coming years to cope with the busy porting in the harbour.

Galway docks|Deluxe Chauffeur Drive Ireland

Eyre square is also known as John F. Kennedy Memorial park, renamed in his honour as he famously visited the city just before his untimely death. There is also a portrait of him in the park along with a statue of renowned Irish language writer Pádraic Ó Conaire. Take a stroll through the park and enjoy the city hustle and bustle, there’s also the Eyre square shopping centre for some important retail therapy!

Eyre-square | Chauffeur Services Ireland

The Galway City Museum, although founded in the 1970’s, it’s new location is just 10 years old and behind the remarkable Spanish Arch. The exhibitions here give a fantastic insight into the history and heritage of Galway. There’s unique collections to view, from permanent fixtures to those on loan, helping you to envision Medieval Galway and understand why it’s such a cultural and poetic city.

Galway City Museum | Luxury Chauffeur Ireland – image thanks to www.activeme.ie

One of the most prestigious of Ireland’s hotels, the 5 star G hotel has an ongoing reputation for luxury. It was designed by legendary Irish milliner Philip Treacy and his signature style and taste can be seen throughout. The hotel is central in Galway and boasts a deluxe Spa and gourmet food. If you want a treat while in Galway this is definitely the place to stay!

The G Hotel Galway | Luxury family Vacations Ireland
-image thanks to hotelsgalway.ie

The Spanish Arch in the centre of the city is part of the Latin quarter and can be viewed as part of Galway’s Medieval City walks. The Arch was build in 1584 and was originally an extension of the city walls, in 1755 the arches were partially destroyed by a tsunami from Lisbon that hit the Irish coast. It was thought that the immigrants used to pass through the arches as they came off the ships in the docks.

Spanish-Arch-Galway | Private Chauffeur Ireland

Along a tour of Medieval Galway some of the streets still have that ancient feel, one in particular and also part of the Latin Quarter is Kirwans Lane. The lane is Galway’s most medieval street and was in ruins for many years. It got a much needed make-over recently. The lane contains artefacts from the 16th and 17th Century and was notably home to two nunneries. There are unique craft shops on the lane with traditional Irish keepsakes.

kirwans-lane-galway | Ireland Driver guides

The feature that stands out in historical Shop Street is Lynch’s Castle, which was part of the the most powerful ruling tribes in Galway. It is unusual in modern-day Ireland to have an ancient castle standing in the middle of a bustling street! It displays gothic Ireland architecture. Right behind Shop Street is the spirited Latin Quarter.

Old ShopStreet | Private Driver Ireland

The lively and vigorous Latin Quarter of Galway city has two bridges leading you to it, Wolftone Bridge and O Brien’s Bridge. The area is comprised of 13 streets, all filled with shops pubs and restaurants.

galway_latin_quarter | Chauffeur Tours Ireland

The Latin Quarter is where you can view many of Galway’s medieval buildings, many of the most popular pubs on these streets still have their original features. Also one of Ireland’s largest medieval churches is found here and is said to be over 700 years old. Christopher Columbus visited and prayed in this church in 1477. More unwelcome guests from Cromwell’s army paid the church a visit and destroyed the statues. The church of St. Nicholas is still used as a place of worship today but there are also tours of it.

Latin Quarter | Driver Guided Tours Ireland

One of the most popular seaside resorts in Ireland and just 3 km from Galway city is Salthill (Bóthar na Trá, in Irish, the road by the sea). It has a 2 km long promenade ‘ The prom’ , it’s tradition that when you’ve walked the length of the prom (with the sea on your left hand side) you kick the wall at the end of it for good luck. Just not too hard, you don’t want a broken foot! Another tradition in Salthill is on Christmas Day to jump into the sea from Blackrock Diving Tower (for charity), with freezing water temperatures at this time of the year, it’s not for the faint-hearted!!

salthill_galway | Luxury Chauffeur Tours Ireland

Recent years have seen Salthill grow from a small fishing to a modern, busy resort. It has many pubs and restaurants but also has Leisureland, a permanant funfair in Salthill with a swimming pool and arcade centre attached. Many casinos and arcades have also popped up in this intriguing little seaside resort, I imagine to cope with some of the rainy days that Ireland can expect!

Salthill Sunset | Luxury Chauffeur Vacations Ireland

The Aran Islands are a group of three charismatic islands of the coast of Galway Bay, Inis Mór (the largest), Inis Meain and Inis Oírr. The natives of the Islands all speak Irish as their first language but most are also fluent in English. The islands can be accessed by ferry or by plane.

Aran-Islands | Private Driver Customised Tours Ireland

As cars are not allowed access to the Islands the best way to get around is on foot or bike hire. With very few cars there the islands are unspoiled and unpolluted, very rare and refreshing nowadays! There are Bronze Age and Iron Age forts on the islands. The most prominent of these forts sits on the edge of a cliff on Inis Mór at a height of 330 feet, it towers over the Atlantic ocean. It’s a spectacular view-point. The islands are also famous for the traditional Aran jumper (Geansaí Árann in Irish), it’s made from 100% sheep’s wool and is an off-white colour. A warm keepsake from the islands!

Aran-Islands | Private Driver Tours of Ireland

The Sky Road is in Clifden, Connemara’s biggest town, and gives panoramic views of Galway Bay and islands. Overlooking the Atlantic it stretches over 14 km of famous views and is known as Ireland’s greatest drives, taking this route is a must to really experience the best of Irish views.

Sky-Road-Clifden | Private Escorted Tours of Ireland

Connemara is home to the well known Connemara National Park. Much of the park’s land belongs to the Kylemore Abbey estate and it covers just under 3,000 hectares of bogs, woodlands, heaths and of course the infamous 12 Ben (or pins) mountain range. The park was officially open to the public in 1980 and is an incredible place to hike or cycle.

Connemara National Park |Deluxe Ireland Escorted Tours

The alluring Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery and founded in 1920. It was originally a castle and the architecture is some what of a Gothic nature, it’s stands at the foot of the Barren mountain and is still a nun’s convent but open for tours. The Abbey also boasts impressive Victorian walled gardens on it’s land, here there are over 20 green houses, vineyards, orchards with 300,00 trees. There is also a craft shop and a cafe/restaurant on this splendid estate. Learn about the history and the Benedictine mission from this active convent.

Connemara, the place Oscar Wilde called a ‘savage beauty’ , it’s known for the mountainous wild rugged surroundings and quiet, serene beaches. There is history and heritage in every corner of Connemara and something completely bewitching about this unique part of Galway. It is also home of the magnificent Connemara pony, the pony is strong and rugged and able to endure the sometimes harsh weather conditions of Connemara. The pony’s charm represents the beauty of the land. Connemara has also become a backdrop to many famous movies, the renouned Quiet man bridge is featured in the movie of the same name ‘The Quiet Man’ starring John Wayne, all set in Connemara. Also Marley and Me (Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson), Tristan and Isolde (James Franco) and Into the West (Gabriel Byrne) are just a few of the movies that have attracted film crews worldwide.

Connemara | Deluxe Small Group Tours Ireland

The famous Claddagh ring (Irish: fáinne Chladaigh) comes from co. Galway and the design is thought to have been created by one of the tribes of Galway. It is a traditional and popular Irish ring with two hands holding a heart with a crown. The two hands represent friendship, the heart represents love and the crown represents loyalty. It is an endearing gift to give a loved one.

Claddagh Ring | Family Vacations Ireland
– Image thanks to www.ringsfrom ireland.com

That takes us to the end of the incredible tour of Galway and that’s only a taste of what Ireland has to offer. I hope you enjoyed reading about the spectacular places!

If you are interested in a Private Tour of Galway and would like more information, please click on the Enquire button below:

Alternatively, if you would like to call us directly Toll Free from the US or Canada the number is 1 888 793 0416

All the best,

Mike Ryan

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